なり (nari)

Meaning & usage

The moment; when; as soon as; soon after; no sooner ~ than | A conjunction meaning “soon after”.

Example sentences 8

1. そのニュースが報道されるなり、放送局に問い合わせの電話が殺到した。

   Soon after the news was reported, phone queries flooded the broadcast centre.

2. 会議中タバコが吸えなくて禁断症状だった伊藤さんは、部屋を出るなりタバコに火をつけた。

   Mr. Ito, who had shown withdrawal symptoms during the meeting because he was not allowed to smoke, lit a cigarette as soon as he got out of the room.

3. 妻は私の顔を見るなり泣き出した。

   My wife began to cry the moment she saw me (literally: my face).

4. 家に帰るまで何とかもつかと思ったが、バスを降りるなり激しい雨が降り出した。

   I thought the weather would hold somehow until I got home, but as soon as I stepped off the bus, it started pouring.

5. 所属レコード会社が宣伝に力を入れたため、そのアルバムは発売されるなりヒットチャート1位になった。

   Because the affiliated recording company made an effort to promote the album, it became No. 1 in the hit charts soon after it was released.

6. 編集長は私と顔を合わせるなり私をにらみつけ、「話がある」と言った。

   The chief editor glared at me when she saw me, and told me that we needed to talk.

7. 部屋に入るなりルームサービスの人がお茶とお菓子を持ってきてくれた。

   No sooner had we entered our room than room service brought tea and sweets.

8. 首相は会議場を出るなり記者団の質問攻めにあった。

   The prime minister was bombarded with questions by a group of reporters soon after he left the conference hall.